University of Houston plans big changes at Sugar Land campus

University of Houston System will boost its Sugar Land campus with new programs and renovations, and will move away other programs from the campus.

A university task force has recommended that the school launch or expand 22 programs at the Sugar Land campus and move a bulk of its technology program to the campus, according to a statement.

Additionally, the task force recommended that UH-Victoria and UH-Clear Lake, which have operated some programs at the Sugar Land campus, incrementally shift programs away to another UH teaching center or deliver them fully online.

“These recommendations are pretty bold,” said Regent Roger Welder. “I know there is some trepidation, naturally, among people currently operating there. It’s my expectation, and the board’s expectation that implementation of this plan be done in a very thoughtful and careful way. It’s clear to me that the city of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County really want this. They’ve been waiting a long time for it. So, the timing is appropriate.”

The task force also recommended that the Sugar Land campus's nursing program move to the University of Houston's new UH Health Science Center, to be near the Texas Medical Center.

Last, the plans involve renovations at the Sugar Land campus to accommodate the incoming programs, according to the statement.

“We are the Regents for the UH System. Therefore, it is always, first and foremost, our responsibility to do what’s in the best interests of all four campuses in the System," said UHS Board Chair Jarvis Hollingsworth. "We’ll work closely with the communities involved to make sure we live up to that standard,” he said.